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Post by nomihoudai on Dec 28, 2020 18:01:14 GMT -8
A picture of Eumaeus atala from Miami Beach. Are they protected?  |
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Post by nomihoudai on Dec 28, 2020 18:03:47 GMT -8
A different exposure:  |
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Post by trehopr1 on Dec 28, 2020 21:19:10 GMT -8
There was a time when they were however, not anymore. I too inquired last year (sometime) about this species and jshuey (I believe) remarked that it is no longer protected in any way.
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leptraps
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Posts: 2,397
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Post by leptraps on Dec 29, 2020 5:38:19 GMT -8
I am going to age myself here. In the early 1970's Ms Betty and I purchased a 22 foot Airstream Travel Trailer. Our first trip of any distance was to South Florida and the Florida Keys. Our older son was 6 years and our younger son was almost 3 years old. We saw a Dolphin attraction on Key Biscayne and were beginning the drive down to Key Largo. Our older son announced that he had to "Pee". I pulled into a parking lot for a church and a drove behind the building. There was a large hammock that bordered the church parking lot. We got out of the car and to let my son "pee". As I waited and watched my son whizz away, I saw a Black Butterfly with a bright red abdomen alight near the edge of the hammock. I got my net and as I approached it with net in hand, I knew what it was, Eumaeus atala. In less than twenty minutes I had 8 or 9 specimens.
I would later learn that this colony of Eumaeus atala had only recently been discovered. After I returned home, I let certain people know what I found. They were not happy. I was ask to keep it quite, which I did. However, someone else would find them on Key Biscayne and he told others. Eventually, Key Biscayne would prohibit the collecting of Butterflies.
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Post by yorky on Dec 29, 2020 6:11:34 GMT -8
I remember back in the 90s I obtained some atala pupae, the thrill of seeing them hatch out was very memorable.
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Post by nomihoudai on Dec 29, 2020 8:28:19 GMT -8
What a lucky event. I think it was the 70s when the species was near extinct? I read online that the population of an island near Miami was used to repopulate the area. This probably was Key Biscayne. I wanted to see the islands and go to Key West, but it's too far away. I think I'll rather pay a visit to the state park on Key Biscayne.
Seeing them hatch from pupae must be great. I have been at, and inside, of the breeding facilities of the University of Florida in Gainesville. They are still actively breeding them and releasing them in Florida.
Next week I hope to spot some Dagger wings at the Butterfly Gardens in Miami.
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Post by nomihoudai on Dec 29, 2020 8:40:04 GMT -8
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Post by foxxdoc on Dec 29, 2020 10:36:21 GMT -8
by the way----------
great pictures. tou have a picture of a white flower; that is the plant I mentioned in my tread of collecting along the way. it is Eucharis grandiflora and mine are blooming right now .
TOM |
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Post by nomihoudai on Dec 29, 2020 11:07:13 GMT -8
by the way----------
great pictures. tou have a picture of a white flower; that is the plant I mentioned in my tread of collecting along the way. it is Eucharis grandiflora and mine are blooming right now .
TOM Yes, exactly. I remembered them from your post and was happy to see one myself. I had never seen them before. I hope that some day I can cultivate one on my own. The rain forest in Gainesville had a lot of them. |
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Post by 58chevy on Dec 29, 2020 11:56:59 GMT -8
How do they keep the butterflies in the lobby displays from fading?
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Post by nomihoudai on Dec 29, 2020 12:13:16 GMT -8
How do they keep the butterflies in the lobby displays from fading? Nearly all of these displays are pictures of drawers instead of real specimen. 2013 I visited first and it looks as crisp as day one. |
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Post by Paul K on Dec 29, 2020 12:56:14 GMT -8
How do they keep the butterflies in the lobby displays from fading? Nearly all of these displays are pictures of drawers instead of real specimen. 2013 I visited first and it looks as crisp as day one. That’s what I was going to ask, wasn’t quite sure but they look like pictures. |
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Post by LEPMAN on Jan 2, 2021 19:23:06 GMT -8
Did not realize you were in Florida this past week. I too was in Florida and visited the same area you did! What a shame. Should have checked insect net earlier.
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Post by nomihoudai on Jan 27, 2021 8:55:39 GMT -8
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